Leicester scientists and healthcare workers who have made a significant impact on patient care through their research efforts were celebrated an awards evening at the Grand Hotel on 4 September 2025.
Researchers, clinical staff and support colleagues from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), the University of Leicester and Loughborough University were recognised in eight categories at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Excellence Awards.
Professor Melanie Davies CBE, Director of the NIHR Leicester BRC, said: “All of the research colleagues funded by the NIHR in Leicester play a vital role in advancing our world-class research.
“With these awards we wanted to pause and recognise how far we’ve come – shining a spotlight on the individuals and teams whose contributions over the past two years have been particularly outstanding.
“Our finalists and winners are all incredibly deserving. They have all made a significant impact in their fields, whether by improving patient care through the innovation of new medicines and techniques or widening inclusion and participation in research in Leicester.”
The winners are:
Cross Theme Champion: Dr Claire Lawson, nurse data scientist, Associate Professor and Advanced NIHR fellow, who’s work looking for patterns and trends across conditions are translating insight real-world improvements in patient outcomes, particularly in heart failure and underserved populations.
Impact Award for Transformational Research: the M3 study team, who were recognised for their new and innovative approach to Early Onset Type 2 diabetes care.
Excellence in Research Inclusion Award: the Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyles for Diabetes trial (HEAL-D) study team – who strive to increase research representation and reduce diabetes-related health disparities in African and Caribbean populations.
The University of Leicester’s Professor Louise Goff, who leads the study, said: “It’s fantastic to receive this award and be recognised for the work we’re doing to make research more inclusive.”
Industry Collaboration Award: The Leicester Mesothelioma Research Programme team – Though national and international research collaborations with key Pharma (including GSK, BerGenBio ASA, Owkin, RS Oncology, Iovance, Boehringer, BMS, Aldeyra Therapeutics) and major funders (NIHR, CRUK, Mesothelioma UK, BLF, Asthma UK), the mesothelioma research team led by Professor Dean Fennell (FRCP PhD FMedSci FRSB), has collectively pioneered molecularly stratified medicine for patients with mesothelioma.
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Research: awarded jointly to Professor Melanie Davies and Professor Manish Pareek.
Professor of Diabetes Medicine, Melanie Davies is a world leading researcher investigating screening, prevention, self-management and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
In 2025 she was awarded the highly prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Diabetes Research Award by the American Diabetes Association, only the second women ever to do so, the first outside the USA.
Professor Manish Pareek, Chair and Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases. Professor Pareek has dedicated his life to research on addressing inequalities within infectious diseases, healthcare and healthcare workers.
He is one of the world’s foremost expertise in developing and delivering inclusive public health research programmes in infectious diseases, migrant health and ethnic minority health.
Emerging Researcher of the Year: Infectious diseases doctor Dr Daniel Pan. Dan’s perseverance, and dedication to impactful science have left a lasting mark on global public health; such as his pioneering work on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority communities and the transmission of respiratory viruses.
Dr Pan said: “It is a huge honour to be recognised. I hope to live up to this nomination in the future and ensure other career researchers got the same opportunities that I did to get this award.”
Award of Appreciation: Manager of the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Dr Aarti Parmar. Aarti has made an outstanding and transformative contribution behind the scenes, significantly advancing the Centre’s research success.
Professor Melanie Davies also presented her Director’s Award to Associate Professor of Medical Oncology and Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, Dr Harriet Walter.
Finalists and winners were recognised and celebrated by guests including the Chairman and Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, guests from Loughborough University and UHL, as well as theme leads.
The NIHR Leicester BRC is part of the NIHR and hosted by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in partnership with the University of Leicester, Loughborough University and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group.
For more information about the NIHR Leicester BRC visit: www.leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk